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Dr Daood Cosmetic Surgery
Face

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Sydney

Surgery to reshape or reposition prominent or protruding ears (otoplasty).

Dr Jassim Daood performing a procedure at the Bankstown clinic
About the procedure

What this procedure involves

Ear surgery (otoplasty) is surgery that reshapes or repositions the cartilage of the outer ear, most commonly to set prominent or protruding ears closer to the head or to improve the fold of the ear. Dr Jassim Daood performs otoplasty at the Bankstown clinic. Whether the procedure is appropriate depends on your individual anatomy and circumstances, which are assessed at a consultation.

Recovery

Recovery varies between patients. A head dressing is usually worn for the first days, followed by a soft headband at night for several weeks. Soreness, swelling and bruising are expected at first, and many people return to work or school within about one week. Contact sports are avoided for several weeks, and Dr Daood will describe what to expect for your individual circumstances.

In depth

More about this procedure

Detailed information about this procedure. Select a section to read more.

Otoplasty (ear surgery, sometimes called ear pinning or pinnaplasty) is considered by people who feel their ears protrude noticeably from the head, or whose ears differ from each other in shape or projection. Prominent ears are usually present from childhood; the fold of cartilage that shapes the outer ear may be underdeveloped, or the bowl of the ear may be deep, causing the ear to sit further from the head.

The procedure can be performed on adults and on older children once the ear cartilage has matured, generally from around the age when the ears have reached close to their adult size. Suitability, including general health and expectations, is assessed individually by Dr Daood at your consultation.

Otoplasty reshapes or repositions the cartilage of the outer ear so that it sits closer to the head or has a more defined fold. The incision is usually placed in the groove behind the ear, where any scar is concealed. Through this incision the cartilage may be scored, folded and held with internal stitches, and in some cases a small amount of cartilage or skin is removed.

The approach depends on the shape of your ears and what is being addressed, and both ears are often treated to keep them balanced, even where only one appears prominent. Depending on the case it may be performed under local anaesthetic, local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic, usually as a day procedure. The planned approach, anaesthetic and expected time are explained at your consultation.

A dressing or bandage around the head is usually worn for the first days to protect the ears and support their new position. After it is removed, a soft headband is often recommended at night for several weeks so the ears are not bent forward during sleep.

Some soreness, swelling and bruising around the ears is expected at first, and the ears may feel numb or sensitive for a period. Many people return to work or school within about one week, though this varies. Contact sports and activities that risk knocking the ears are avoided for several weeks, and specific aftercare instructions are provided.

Otoplasty can bring the ears into a position closer to the head and improve balance between them. Swelling settles over the following weeks, and the final position and contour become apparent over some months.

No two ears are perfectly symmetrical, before or after surgery, and results vary between individuals. Realistic expectations are an important part of the consultation, and revision is sometimes required.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Otoplasty, sometimes called ear pinning, is surgery that reshapes or repositions the cartilage of the outer ear, most commonly to set prominent ears closer to the head. Whether it is appropriate for you is assessed at your consultation with Dr Daood.

Suitability is assessed individually at a consultation, taking into account the shape of your ears, your general health and your expectations. Some people are not suitable candidates, and this is part of what the consultation determines.

Otoplasty can be considered for older children once the ear cartilage has matured, generally when the ears have reached close to their adult size. Timing and suitability are discussed individually at a consultation.

The incision is usually placed in the natural groove behind the ear, where any scar is concealed. Scarring varies between individuals and, rarely, scars can become raised or thickened. This is discussed as part of the risks at your consultation.

Often both ears are treated to keep them balanced, even where only one appears prominent. Whether one or both ears should be addressed depends on your anatomy and is discussed at your consultation.

A head dressing is usually worn for the first days, followed by a soft headband at night for several weeks. Many people return to work or school within about one week, depending on the individual, and contact sports are avoided for several weeks.

Cost depends on the individual procedure and is provided in writing after your consultation, reflecting the total cost, including the surgeon, anaesthesia, facility fees and aftercare.

A GP referral is required before a cosmetic surgery consultation, and the referring practitioner must not perform cosmetic procedures themselves.